Dodgy chassis paint , rust or not

[ForestAnt Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ForestAnt]

Was under the 4b looking at things as you do when i noticed something odd. Around some of the welds the black paint has chipped off and you can see what looks like rust. Got a bit panicy cause the more i looked around the more i noticed these little chips of paint missing and what appears to be surface rust.
Took it down to the dealer and got them to put it up on the hoist for a closer inspection and to show them. They tell me it's not rust but the protective coating that the chassis is dipped in prior to painting (happens to be yellow and looks similar to rust colour) and it's not uncommon for there to be chips of paint off. They then showed me the same thing on a new hilux tray back minus the tray. Yes you could see these little imperfections on it as well. I told them that i still think the paint shouldn't off chipped off allready.
So the question is is this normal and okay or abbynormal and needs working on.
Could some 150 owners check their chassis and let me know if theirs is the same.
Here is a pic of one weld on the rear chassis rail back pass side behind axle. You can clearly see the orange ( rust / protective coating) along the weld edges.

Thanks Ant

[ABR-SIDEWINDER Member Find all posts View Profile Close ABR-SIDEWINDER]

Re: Dodgy chassis paint , rust or not

Mine is the same but I did not pick at it but may just do that now.

I assumed it was the type of welding rod used as it looked more bronze to me than rust but I will now pick at it next time I am under the car.

From memory almost all the welds looked that way.

[ForestAnt Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ForestAnt]

Re: Dodgy chassis paint , rust or not

Thanks Derek. When I get a chance I'm going to send an email to
Toyota and see what they say. But think I will keep a close eye on
it.
Anton

[ABR-SIDEWINDER Member Find all posts View Profile Close ABR-SIDEWINDER]

Re: Dodgy chassis paint , rust or not

I was under the car again today fixing a Toyota stuff up, they stripped 2 bolt holes on the metal cover plates after the 1st service and the plates started to rattle and fall off.

I had to re-thread 2 holes and fit new bolts. I will call them tomorrow and complain. :x

The welds on my Prado look like the paint has curdled or pulled away as paint does when it is applied to an oily surface. It still does not look like rust to me but rather a flux and welding rod problem with the paint. I don't think it is a problem but will keep an eye on this post to see what the outcome is for others.

Regards

Derek

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

Re: Dodgy chassis paint , rust or not

I was under the car again today fixing a Toyota stuff up, they stripped 2 bolt holes on the metal cover plates after the 1st service and the plates started to rattle and fall off.

I had to re-thread 2 holes and fit new bolts. I will call them tomorrow and complain. :x

The welds on my Prado look like the paint has curdled or pulled away as paint does when it is applied to an oily surface. It still does not look like rust to me but rather a flux and welding rod problem with the paint. I don't think it is a problem but will keep an eye on this post to see what the outcome is for others.

Regards

Derek

Hi Derek

Which dealer did you take your car to?

Regards, Richo.

[ABR-SIDEWINDER Member Find all posts View Profile Close ABR-SIDEWINDER]

Re: Dodgy chassis paint , rust or not

Southside Toyota - Mt Gravatt.

I have been on the phone, fax and email to them.

The service advisor that did my booking no longer works there (haha big surprise).

The management has been very good and will make notes on my Toyota 'advantage' service plan to attend to the bolts and welded nuts at the next service. They have apologized in great detail and should do my window tinting at cost as a sorry deal before I leave for Cape York.

It just shows that even taking your brand new vehicle to the Toyota agents does not mean the best factory service. Here we have damage to a brand new vehicle and if the engine plate came loose at Cape York...... well....... fuel tank, transfer case, fuel lines, brakes.... who knows what ? Especially as it was the front bolts so the plate would have dug in hard. Hell I could have been in big strife.

Toyota has said they will educate the staff in regard the use or air tools and these bolts and said it would not happen again ??

Regards

Derek

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

Re: Dodgy chassis paint , rust or not

Hi Derek

I have bought several cars from Southside Toyota and Ford at Wooloongabba, the service depts were in the same building, the Ford guys couldn't do enough to help, the Toyota guys didn't give a #!@*, worst Toyota service I've ever had, just goes to show the quality is directly related to the Managers direction.

Regards, Richo.

[ABR-SIDEWINDER Member Find all posts View Profile Close ABR-SIDEWINDER]

Re: Dodgy chassis paint , rust or not

Southside Toyota have been good with their replies to my emails and phone calls. They have made extensive notes on their system and will have the threads properly repaired at the next service after my Cape York trip.

They also quickly made an opening in their schedule to do my window tinting before my trip all at below cost price.

I will keep a close eye on the bolts during my trip.